Observed Seasonal Evolution of the Antarctic Slope Current System off
the Coast of Dronning Maud Land, East Antarctica
Abstract
The access of heat to the Antarctic ice shelf cavities is regulated by
the Antarctic Slope Front, separating relatively warm offshore water
masses from cold water masses on the continental slope and inside the
cavity. Previous observational studies along the East Antarctic
continental slope have identified the drivers and variability of the
front and the associated current, but a complete description of their
seasonal cycle is currently lacking. In this study, we utilize two
years (2019-2020) of observations from two oceanographic moorings east
of the prime meridian to further detail the slope front and current
seasonality. In combination with climatological hydrography and
satellite-derived surface velocity, we identify processes that explain
the hydrographic variability observed at the moorings. These processes
include (i) an offshore spreading of seasonally formed Antarctic
Surface Water, resulting in a lag in salinity and thermocline depth
seasonality toward deeper isobaths, and (ii) the crucial role of
buoyancy fluxes from sea ice melt and formation for the baroclinic
seasonal cycle. Finally, data from two sub-ice-shelf moorings below
Fimbulisen show that flow at the main sill into the cavity seasonally
coincides with a weaker slope current in spring/summer. The flow is
directed out of the cavity in autumn/winter when the slope current is
strongest. The refined description of the variability of the slope
current and front contributes to a more complete understanding of
processes important for ice-shelf-ocean interactions in East
Antarctica.